I popped open my daily news email from The New York Times Thursday, and there it was, one of the lead stories in News Analysis -- heralding the tidings -- "Georgia Voters to Make Decision on Gay-Marriage Issue in Fall."

Well, it isn't fall, but my decision fell a long time ago on that ridiculous issue.

The very premise is totally absurd, but in this day and time of "anything goes, if it feels good do it", I'm not real surprised.

In an email to a friend with whom I am having a discussion on the issue of gay union and lifestyles in general, I used a line my Pastor Tim Ferrell, has said many times -- "God created Adam and Eve, not Adam and Steve." The comment was not received well by my friend, and that's OK. Such a remark polarizes most that I share it with. It makes me out to be taking the issue of sin way too lightly, or it lowers the issue to where many think it should be - to the level of ridiculous.

If you believe the Bible to be the inspired word of God, then you must believe that homosexuality is just as much of an abomination today as it was when He said so. God spoke in the Old Testament as well as in the New Testament; the same God spoke in Genesis 1:1 and in Revelation 22:21. If there were anything more to add He would have added it.

The apostle Paul, writing in Romans, offers one of the most potent statements on the issue. In Romans 1:24-30, abominations are described in detail and the writer, through inspiration of God, states those who engage in those abominations are worthy of death. We cannot say, "Well, gee, Jesus didn't say He was against homosexuality." He did, because Jesus is not separate from God. The Trinity is God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, not God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. Moral men and women do not have to be told twice about what is right or wrong. Along with homosexuality there are other behavioral anomalies God considers abominations: fornication, idolatry, lying, drinking and murder. Are these also to be called acceptable, normal, alternate lifestyles? These things are abominations, and same-sex marriages are abominations! God said it, friends. He is a holy and powerful God and He said it for a reason. I think we had better pay attention to Him.

"You shall not lie with a male as with a woman: it is an abomination" (Lev 18:22).

"If a man lies with a male as with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination: they shall be put to death: their blood is upon them" (Lev. 20:13). "God gave them up to degrading passions. Their women exchanged natural intercourse for unnatural, and in the same way also the men, giving up natural intercourse with women, were consumed with passion for one another. Men committed shameless acts with men and received in their own persons the due penalty for their error" (Rom 1:26-27)."Do you not know that wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived! Fornicators, idolaters, adulterers, male prostitutes, sodomites, thieves, the greedy, drunkards, revilers, robbers - none of these will inherit the kingdom of God" (1 Cor. 6:9-10).

What is marriage? Marriage, as instituted by God, is a faithful, exclusive, lifelong union of a man and a woman joined in an intimate community of life and love. They commit themselves completely to each other and, it they choose, to the wondrous responsibility of bringing children into the world and caring for them. The call to marriage is woven deeply into the human spirit. Man and woman are equal. However, as created, they are different from but made for each other. This complementarity, including sexual difference, draws them together in a mutually loving union that should be always open to the procreation of children.

Marriage is a basic human and social institution. Though civil laws and Church laws regulate it, if did not originate from either the Church or state, but from God. Therefore, neither Church nor state can alter the basic meaning and structure of marriage.Marriage, whose nature and purposes are established by God, can only be the union of a man and a woman and must remain such in law. In a manner unlike any other relationship, marriage makes a unique and irreplaceable contribution to the common good of society, especially through the procreation and education of children.The union of husband and wife becomes, over a lifetime, a great good for themselves, their family, communities, and society.

Marriage is a gift to be cherished and protected.People for the most part are going to do what they want to do -- and justify it however they want to. God has had that problem with men and women since the Garden of Eden - where woman and man tried to blame their fall from grace on the serpent. So, while it grieves Him that His creations are pinning their lust for their own kind on what they want to see the Bible say, instead of what it really says and teaches, He is not surprised, only saddened. Thank you for your time.